A/N: Sorry I haven't posted in like a month and for those who have read my very first story I posted on here I am rushing. And now it is time to drop the bomb. This story is almost over! I am thinking of making it last for ten chapters. I don't think it will be longer and I am hoping that it will not be any shorter. Btw, what do you do when you are already done with a story? Do you just leave it there for other people to read or what? Please inform me.

Stormrose Dewleaf: I am sorry to say but I have noticed a lot of stories that bash Te'a. And awful lot for that matter. What is wrong with people these days? Hm…

Nightfall2525: You must not ask such questions for your knowing that the author should not and if they are a good author, will not answer them. So just proceed to read the story and you will find out.

Yugi'sLightKeepsMePure: Um………………………………….what do even say?

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Chapter 5 The Sacrifice

"W w where am I?" Te'a asked frightened. No answer came from the emptiness around her. She crawled across the floor leaning slightly on her left hand seeing as how her other wrist was broken. She pushed herself to her feet and found herself, once again, in a small-enclosed room. "This is like da'sa voo,"(sorry I couldn't figure out how to spell it) she thought.

The door in front of her unlatched and swung open. She scurried back into the dark and pulled herself into a stance, ready for action. She expected to see another guard from this so called palace, but was surprised to see Yugi Mutou. She had the urge to run over and wrap her arms around his tiny little body, but thought better of it. She wasn't sure she trusted him because the last time she heard him he said something about a sacrifice and Kaiba kept mentioning it. This was peculiar very peculiar.

Yugi walked over to her and reached out his hand. Te'a stood there not moving a muscle, not even daring to breath.

"Take my hand," he said in a low voice. Te'a looked at his hand like it was a foul vermin. She wouldn't take it, wouldn't dare. But unbelievably her hand started to reach out for his. She tried to stop it. She tried to pull it back, but it wouldn't budge. He grabbed her hand then whispered, "Come with me." It was like she was being possessed because once his feet started moving, so did hers. And they kept moving step after step after step. They never stopped or fidgeted or even stumbled. They just kept walking until Yugi stopped in another doorway.

Te'a didn't recognize the door, but of course she didn't recognize anything in this sand dune. She thought she would feel scared and would resist. She didn't though. She felt calm and trusted Yugi. She didn't know why, but she wanted to see what was in the room. She wanted to see if she was going to see her doom. She wanted to see how, but not why. If it was horrible, she wanted to see how horrible it would be or who would do it to her.

Yugi opened the door. Pitch black was all they saw. Then, they took a step and opened into a magical kingdom. The minute she entered Te'a's wrist healed. Flowers bloomed everywhere. The floral scent poisoned the air. Water falls exploded in their place sending gentle droplets of scented water to sprinkle the skies and replenish Te'a's dirty brittle hair. It felt like a cool shower as she tilted her head back and let the water slide down her face.

"She looks beautiful" Yugi spoke silently. A part of him kicked in. The real part of him. As soon as it came, it left. He was back to the cover up, the fiction. He wasn't really there. Just shell stays there while the real hid. It may come out or it may not. That was for the winds of destiny to decide.

Yugi pushed on further confident Te'a would follow. She pulled out of her trance and followed like a little duckling trailing behind mother goose. She came up behind him and he stopped. He stopped so suddenly Te'a stumbled and caught her balance back. He turned around and looked deep into her eyes. His face was full of severity, but his eyes showed him soul. They showed the fear, the misery, the agony. Te'a tried to reach out and help with invisible hands. She wanted her touch to warm his unkind heart and turn it bittersweet. She wanted to take him and disappear from this dreadful place. She knew what it was doing to him. She knew it was eating him from the inside out, but that couldn't happen. She wouldn't let it. Not to her Yugi. No, not again. Not to some one she loved. She'd find a way to stop it. They wouldn't slip through her fingers. Not this time.

As she reached, he turned away. She missed her first chance but would grab it again some time. He looked at her. His once kind eyes flared with anger. The flares dance across his pupils and encircled. He sent a message that instantly made her follow.

The dress was magnificent. Pure white softly trimmed in lace. The shoes were clear and not too much heel layered the bottom. Her hair was dressed in an updo with crystals dancing through her soft curls. Pale eye shadow smothered her eyelids, a light shade of brown outlined the curves of her eyes, and a coral lipstick with gloss topped it off. Her eyelashes were just barely touched with mascara to give her face a sweet yet elegant country girl look. Pink baby blossoms were clutched in her unpolished hands. Her walk was elegant and her eyes were empty. She showed no emotion. She was almost like a robot but not quite. Her feet paced over red velvet that lined the illus ional floor. No one stood beside her. No one trailed behind her. She was alone but remained independent.

Step felt cold. Hands warm and far away. The surroundings were a happy place now the winds blow rough. The air stung her face. Needles dug into her skin, but no blood trickled down.

The ceremony was done not complete. There was still more, but she would have a break in between time. The ceremony was odd. Not quite traditional. It was in a language she didn't understand and all she received was an amulet placed around her neck. He took her hand and led her back down the bed of roses. His hands passed over the petals and everyone her touched cringed in his wake. They walked to the throne and placed themselves upon the seats.

The crown was placed on her head. The rubies shone like fire around the rim. His crone was already resting in his ash hair. He reached he hand gesturing for hers. It came but only after much resistance.

"My queen," he chilled, "we are finally together. No one can split us apart. The final solution will be made, but now we need to celebrate this great creation. Now as a queen you must make your proclamation. Then to your wishes." My wishes she thought. That could be to my advantage.

"Yes, my king, this task I can complete. Just allow me a single moment to prepare."

"Fine" he cleared.

A servant burst into the room. His forehead wet with perspiration.

"Sire' sire,'" he breathed. "They're…here…"

"Yes, thank you. My queen, hurry. We haven't much time. Quicken thy pace," he told her.

"Will do," she said.

"Mr.Kaiba, NOW" the servant rushed.

"Okay. Te'a, come this way and prepare while we travel. Come now" Kaiba said.

"Yes, Seto, right away" Te'a replied standing up.